Lymington captain Gareth Berg starred in the second week running with his bowling (5-20 in 11 overs) taking his tally to 11 wickets over the two games. The wicket again helped the seamers as did winning the toss but it still required a resilient and smart all round display to ensure this comprehensive win.

The damp conditions and cloudy sky favoured the seamers at the Southsea sea front and inevitably Berg put Portsmouth in to bat. With uncanny line and length in a Berg master class he soon struck, bowling both Sam Caddy (1) and Joseph Kooner-Evans (0). He then had Archie Reynolds (12) as Ryan Scott took a smart catch and then bowled Ray Renolds (0) with the opposition 18-4.

With normal fellow opener Charlie Wilson still nursing bruised ribs, Guy Layman (2-30) soon stepped up with the wicket of Mohammed Forhad (1) and then caught and bowled the potentially dangerous George Metzger (10). Captain Harry Gadd (18) and Daniel Wimble (26) stabilised the innings for a while as they put on 39 for the seventh wicket.

But then the collapse continued with the last four wickets falling for 15 runs as youngster Thor Howell (3-9) polished off the tail helped by another wicket from Gareth Berg and wicket keeper Robbie Hemmings with two catches. Portsmouth were at least 70 runs short of a competitive total not helped by the absence of two of their leading batsmen including top scorer Ben Duggan.

With the wicket still favouring the seamers and a good Portsmouth attack it was never going to be easy but the Lymington batters played responsibly just waiting for the bad ball. Openers Terry Crabb (13) and Robbie Hemmings (34) put on 26 for the first wicket before Joseph Kooner-Evans struck (2-25) having Crabb caught by Harry Gadd.

This brought in Wilson (23 not out) as with Hemmings the pair put on 35 for the third wicket soaking up the pressure until Hemmings, with a gutsy innings and return to form, was lbw to Siraj Ali Zaidi. This brought in Karanveer Kooner (8) who after striking two fours in successive balls was caught on the boundary next ball going for glory that unfortunately cost Lymington a batting bonus point. It was left to Gareth Berg (4 not out) to see the side home by six wickets in the 28th over.

This win sees Lymington up to eighth in the table and the widening gap to Bashley who sit anchored at the bottom with one team relegated at the end of the season. But as Guy Layman said the “pre-game warm up was good” and so the side were ready for the challenge while the Berg bowling was “unbelievable”. This coming Saturday the side are at home to league leaders, South Wilts, in another 120 overs timed game.

Photo courtesy of James Robinson